AUTOMOTIVE Shop responsibie for repairs, guarantees WOULD YOU give a stranger a signed blank cheque, tell the person to enter any amount, then cash it? Probably not. But that’s the way lots of people treat the work orders they receive when getting their cars repaired. Yet that piece of paper can be just as legal and binding as a signed cheque. [It also serves as important evidence in case of a dispute. Legally, a work order should specify the work to be done to fix your car, including an estimate of costs and the approximate time it will take to do the repairs. You must sign the order, and your signature authorizes only the work specified. Be sure you take a copy when you leave your car at the shop. Laws vary but a reliable shop will speil matters oui aiong these lines, whatever the rules. The work order should include your name, address and phone number; the date; the license nurmber and the year and make of the vehicle; the odometer reading; the shop’s business name and ad- dress, and its method of figuring labor costs (by the hour or by in- dustry averages, for example). The work order should also in- clude the jeb to be done, with estimated costs, including parts, labor, sublet labor, and any other incidental charges. Replacement parts should- be described by source, new, used, ‘rebuilt or reconditioned. Stipulate that you wish to see the old parts when the job is done. (You may not be able to keep them, for various reasons.) Lastly, the work order should note ‘specific diagnostic work, in-_ cluding estimated costs, when the shor » cannot Pinpoint necessary repairs or the spot. ~ In that ‘case, the: work order showid spell out the symptoms as you. Gescribe them. — “‘clanking sound under the hacd.”’: .When the shop calls after the diagnosis, ask for repair details, including ‘cost estimates. The phoned-in estimates should be written a3 additional work on the order, with the date you were called and the signature of the person who called you. Remember, no additional work should be done without your - authorizatioa. Sometimes it takes & major tear-down of the car to locate the _ Church hosts ~ country fair SOMETHING FOR everyone. That’s what organizers of the Mount Seymour United Church : Christmas Country Craft Fair are ‘promising to ali who drop in at 1200 Parkgate Ave., North Van- couver on Saturday, Nov. 7 be- tween 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The craft.and bake sale will in- clude a myriad of hand-crafted items and useful household noveities. Also available will be a wide variety of home-baked gocds, including pies, fancy cakes and squares, bread, cookies, chutnies, pickles, jams and jellies. Highlights of the event will in- clude the Turkey Lunch hosted by the men of the church, and for the kids there wil be a snack bar, Kids Corner, surprise gifts, and face painting. Donations of baked goods are welcome and should be delivered to the church between 7 and 8 p.m. today. For more information call 929-1336, ~ By Gary Vineyard Contributing Writer actual problem. Tear-down estimates should include all of the same information as required on a regular estimate, plus the cost of the reassembly should you decide not to have the work done at that time or place. Tear-down estimates also should include the cost of gaskets, seais, and O-rings — all items normally destroyed by disassembly — plus the :aaximum reassembly time. After the tear-down, a second estimate should advise you of the actual cost of repair, and you must authorize repairs before the shop goes ahead. Should you decide against the repairs, the shop must put your vehicle back together with no charge beyond what was included in the tear- down estimaie, Tear-downs can be costiy and time-consuming. Soa can repair costs — especially with transmis- sion jobs, which may vary by hundreds of do!lars. Shop around. Warranties should spell out in writing what is covered and what ‘is not, how long they are valid, what you must do to have them honored (for example, return parts); what the shop will do (repair, replace); whether terms are prorated (provide just partial rebate on used tires.) Subietting work to other specialty shops is a known prac- tice. Wheever does the werk, the shop where you originally took your car is responsible for all tepairs and guarantees. Get an itemized bill before pay- ing. Point out anything you find questionable, but don’t just refuse to pay if you’ feel rooked. Some areas allow repair shops to kecp your car when you don’t pay. 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